Legal Term Dictionary

Search our free database of thousands of legal terms. The easiest-to-read, most user-friendly guide to legal terms.This dictionary is from the early 20th century and is not to be construed as legal advice.

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  • ALVEUS
    The bed or channel through which the stream flows when it runs within its ordinary channel. Calvin. Alveus derelictus, a deserted channel. Mackeld. Rom. Law, s 274.
  • AMALGAMATION
    A term applied in England to the merger or consolidation of two incorporated companies or societies. In the case of the Empire Assurance Corporation, (1867,) L. R. 4 Eq. 347, the vice-chancellor said: "It is difficult to say what the word 'amalgamate' means. I confess at this moment I have More...
  • AMALPHITAN CODE
    A collection of sea-laws, compiled about the end of the eleventh century, by the people of Amalphi. It consists of the laws on maritime subjects, which were or bad been in force in countries bordering on the Mediterranean; and was for a long time received as authority in those countries. More...
  • AMANUENSIS
    One who writes on behalf of another that which he dictates.
  • AMBACTUS
    A messenger; a servant sent about; one whose services his master hired out. Spelman.
  • AMBASCIATOR
    A person sent about in the service of another; a person sent on a service. A word of frequent occurrence in the writers of the middle ages. Spelman.
  • AMBASSADOR
    In international law. A public officer, clothed with high diplomatic powers, commissioned by a sovereign prince or state to transact the international business of his government at the court of the country to which he is sent. Ambassador is the commissioner who represents one country in the seat of government More...
  • AMBER, OR AMBRA
    In old English law. A measure of four bushels.
  • AMBIDEXTER
    Skillful with both hands; one who plays on both sides. Applied anciently to an attorney who took pay from both sides, and subsequently to a juror guilty of the same offense. Cowell. Ambigua responsio contra proferentem est aecipienda. An ambiguous answer is to be taken against (is not to be More...
  • AMBIGUITAS
    Lat. From ambiguus, doubtful, uncertain, obscure. Ambiguity; uncertainty of meaning. Ambiguitas latens, a latent ambiguity; ambiguitas patens, a patent ambiguity. See AMBIGUITY. Ambiguitas veboram latens verificatione suppletnr; nam quod ex facto oritur ambiguum verificatione facti tolitur. A latent ambiguity in the language may be removed by evidence; for whatever ambiguity More...
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